Month: July 2018

Tuesday: Struggle

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, you promise that you have plans for our lives. You call us to serve you in all that we do. Give us your Holy Spirit, that we would have the confidence and faith to follow where you lead us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 16:9-12
During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there. We sailed straight from Troas to Samothrace, and the next day we arrived in Neapolis. From there we went to Philippi, which is a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia.

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Do you think Paul had planned to go to the land of Macedonia? Why did he go there?

Child: What was the “good news” that Paul went to tell the people there?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, sometimes we make plans, but you lead us in a new way that we did not expect. Sometimes it is a struggle to let you have your way in our lives. Help us listen to your calling and obey your voice. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Monday: Understanding

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God's name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, we thank you for giving us time to pray and read your Word. By your Holy Spirit, open our hearts that we may learn from the Scriptures, and come to trust you more deeply each day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as the Bible story for the week is read aloud.

Acts 16:9-15
During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there. We sailed straight from Troas to Samothrace, and the next day we arrived in Neapolis. From there we went to Philippi, which is a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia.

We spent several days in Philippi. Then on the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to a place by the river, where we thought there would be a Jewish meeting place for prayer. We sat down and talked with the women who came. One of them was Lydia, who was from the city of Thyatira and sold expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of the Lord God, and he made her willing to accept what Paul was saying. Then after she and her family were baptized, she kept on begging us, “If you think I really do have faith in the Lord, come stay in my home.” Finally, we accepted her invitation. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why were Paul and his friends travelling from city to city? What were they doing?

Child: Do you like to visit new place? What are things you enjoy about traveling? What things worry you?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, we know that you walk with us wherever we go. Help us to trust in you. Guide our steps and lead us to be faithful in doing your work in the world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Sunday: Worship

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you … in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Gracious Lord God, pour out on us the gift of your Holy Spirit. Speak to us through your Word and lead us in your ways, so that we may trust in you always, no matter where we go, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Psalm 10:16-18
Our Lord, you will always rule, but nations will vanish from the earth. You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help. You defend orphans and everyone else in need, so that no one on earth can terrify others again. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What does it mean to “defend” someone? Has someone ever defended you?

Child: Why is it important for us to know that God is our greatest Defender? How does trusting God help us to face the things we are afraid of?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, you are strong and mighty. We trust that you defend and care for us, especially when we are weak and afraid. In times of worry and fear, may our first thought be to turn to you in prayer, and call upon your help. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Saturday: Generosity

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you … in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Mighty Lord, you have created the heavens and the earth, and have given us all good things. Create in us a thankful heart and generous spirit, so that we would share with others the blessings you have given to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully to this reminder from Luther’s Small Catechism.

We pray in this petition that our heavenly Father would not hold our sins against us and deny our prayers because of them. We know we have not earned, nor do we deserve, those things for which we pray. (Luther's Small Catechism)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why is it such a good thing to know that God listens to our prayers, even when we don’t deserve it?

Child: How does the way God acts toward us, show us the way we should act toward others?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Merciful Lord, you continue to do good for us, not because we have earned it, but simply because you love us. Help us to do good and forgive others, as you have forgiven and done good to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday: Trust

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O God, you are our refuge and strength and your love for your people is never ending. Guide me in your holy will and fill my mind with thoughts that please you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 14:11-15
When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they yelled out in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have turned into humans and have come down to us!” The people then gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and they gave Paul the name Hermes, because he did the talking. The temple of Zeus was near the entrance to the city. Its priest and the crowds wanted to offer a sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul. So the priest brought some bulls and flowers to the city gates. When the two apostles found out about this, they tore their clothes in horror and ran to the crowd, shouting: “Why are you doing this? We are humans just like you. Please give up all this foolishness. Turn to the living God!” (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: When they saw the miracle of the man who was healed, what mistake did the people make?

Child: Why did Paul and Barnabus not want to take credit for this miracle? What did they tell the people to do?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for using us to do your work in the world. Help us not to put ourselves forward, as if the power belongs to us. Instead, help us to give you the glory, and point people to you as the one true God. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy God, make us aware of the struggles that others are going through. Just as you have provided for our needs, help us to provide for the needs of others. Show us how we can serve you in the everyday moments of our lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

A man who couldn’t use his feet
was sitting there along the street
When Paul spoke up to him and said,
“Stand up and walk. Lift up your head.”

The man stood up and grinned a grin;
a miracle had come to him!
And all who saw what had occurred
assumed that Paul, himself, was Lord!

But Paul said, “You must understand;
I’m not a god! I’m just a man.I did not make the earth and sea,
It’s God we praise — not you or me.”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why do you think Paul didn’t just walk past the crippled man? Why did he stop?

Child: What is an example of something we could do to help someone in need?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Holy God, we thank you for coming into our lives. Help us to be like your servant Paul, and help those who are in need, by showing the love of Jesus to those we meet. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday: Mercy

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you … in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

God of grace, your mercy is great and your generosity toward your people is never-ending. Thank you for all the good things you do for us, especially for speaking to us through your Word, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 14:15-17Paul told the people: “Turn to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. In times past, God let each nation go its own way. But he showed that he was there by the good things he did. God sends rain from heaven and makes your crops grow. He gives food to you and makes your hearts glad.” (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: In what ways does God take care of all people – even people who do not know or believe in him?

Child: How do I know that I can trust in God? What good things has God done for me?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Almighty God, every day you give us what we need to live. We thank you for this world and for the people who share our lives. Make us good, as you are good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Holy Families! is an initiative of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and Sola Publishing, provided through a generous grant from the Thrivent Foundation, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation (1517-2017).

The Holy Family Time daily devotional is written by: Mrs. Kelly Hanson (Ladysmith, WI) and Rev. Steven E. King (Oakdale, MN).